Australia, gunning for a ninth straight Ashes success, have not been at their best in recent one-dayers and were thrashed by the hosts by nine wickets on Thursday.

"To be honest this is what we've been craving for so long.

"We've got a real challenge on our hands," said in-form batsman Hussey, who is not in Australia's Test squad.

"It's what we're really looking forward to and that's when the true Australian spirit and the real class will hopefully come to the fore and we'll get right into the fight.

"We've got some brilliant players and I'm sure they'll rise to the challenge."

Hussey, who left his post as captain of Durham for the one-day leg of Australia's tour, has averaged 91 for his country this summer.

The left-hander admitted some of his teammates were taking time to acclimatise to English conditions.

"I think we're adapting a little slower than we were hoping, but we are still adapting," he said.

"I think the rustiness should be gone by now. The guys have been playing for three and four weeks now so we should be starting to hit our straps and get closer to our best."

Lancashire's Brad Hodge was preferred as the extra batsman in Australia's Ashes squad -- but Hussey has the endorsement of captain Ricky Ponting should they need a replacement batsman because of injury.

"In nearly every game on this tour he's been the man that's put his hand up and done a job for us," said Ponting.

"He's become very important to us and he's an exceptional player in any situation -- he's been in early on a couple of games and he's also been our finisher and he's great in the field.

"I wouldn't know because I'm not a selector, but I would imagine he was one of the people spoken about before the Test squad was announced anyway.

"He's here for the whole summer and if we have a couple of injuries then I'm sure his name will be near the top of the list."

Hussey, uncapped at Test level, admitted he would leap at the chance to represent his country in white clothing.

"I'm not hoping for an injury, but if an opportunity came up I'd love to have my name in there for the selectors to choose," he revealed.

"I'll be going back to Durham trying to get us promoted and win the County Championship Second Division.

"But if an opportunity came up to become involved in the Test squad and the Test team, that would be out of this world -- that would be fantastic."